Israel and Mexico Sign Industrial R&D Cooperation Agreement

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Published: 08 December 2014

ISRAEL, MEXICO SIGN GROUNDBREAKING AGREEMENT TO COOPERATE ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Mexico to Join Office of the Chief Scientist at the Israeli Ministry of Economy in Funding Research and Development Projects * Goal: To Advance Research and Industrial Development In Both Countries * Israeli and Mexican Companies to Receive Funding for Joint R&D Projects * Leading Fields for Joint Research: Water Management, Desert Agriculture, Pharma and Medical Devices, Electronics and Communication

JERUSALEM. December 8th, 2014 – Israel and Mexico signed a cooperation agreement for industrial R&D over the weekend. As part of the agreement, Mexico will join the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) at the Israeli Ministry of Economy in a framework of international cooperation to fund joint projects in research and development intended to advance industrial development between both countries.

The agreement – signed last week by Israeli Ambassador to Mexico Rodica Radian Gordon –was led by CONACYT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología) and its Israeli counterpart, the Office of the Chief Scientist (through the office's executive arm MATIMOP), the Israeli ambassador to Mexico and the Israeli Ministry of Economy's trade attaché to Mexico, Rona Kotler Ben Aroya.

Under the agreement, Israeli and Mexican companies will receive assistance in funding joint projects in vast areas of research and development. The leading fields for cooperation with Mexico will include water management, desert agriculture, pharma and medical devices, electronics and communication. However, the agreement will serve as a framework for all types of technology cooperation.

Apart from the potential in implementing the agreement with the business community in Mexico, the move can also advance other agreements in Latin America and strengthen business relations with countries such as Brazil, Chile or Colombia.

Chief Scientist at the Israeli Ministry of Economy Avi Hasson said: "We are delighted with Mexico's vote of confidence in Israel's economy, industry and innovation, which have long been global brands. Cooperation agreements such as the one signed with Mexico contribute to the Israeli market by creating new jobs, advancing R&D, technological enterprise and more."

Rona Kotler Ben Aroya, Trade Attaché to Mexico from the Israeli Ministry of Economy, said: "Mexico is one of the world's largest manufacturers in a variety of fields, comprising an essential part of the country's economy. Many of its products are intended for the North American market. In an effort to preserve its global competitiveness, the Mexican government has set a goal of advancing research and development in order to streamline and upgrade the manufacturing processes of local companies by implementing advanced technologies in the manufacturing process. The signing of the industrial R&D agreement between Israel and Mexico will help Israeli companies integrate products and advanced technologies with local manufacturers and realize the potential of this market."

Immediately following the agreement's signing and confirmation, a call will be issued in early 2015 to Israeli and Mexican companies to present joint proposals for parallel funding for R&D projects.